Philanthropist awarded Special Recognition Award by CEO Middle East

Dr Ahmed Samerai, Founder of SAHARA and the Samerai Foundation, was recently presented with the Special Recognition Award at the CEO Middle East Awards 2016 for his philanthropic work around the world.

Held at a gala dinner with more than 400 business leaders in attendance at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai, the CEO Middle East Awards 2016 honours CEOs from across the region who have delivered outstanding results in their fields, as well as those who have made a vital contribution to the vibrancy of business across the region.

Dr Samerai, who started the foundation in 2010, dedicated the award to other MENA business leaders, and urged them to find time to support causes that matter.

Speaking on the award, he said: “It is a great honour to be given this award and to be recognised for something that is so close to my heart. As part of my work, on behalf of the Samerai Foundation, I have travelled across the globe and witnessed first-hand the impact that charities and philanthropic organisations can have in terms of helping the disadvantaged.”

“Despite all of the good work already being done, we still have a long way to go before charities and foundations can reach all of those in need. I thus encourage business leaders to find the time to make a real difference.”

The Samerai Foundation has supported more than 20 projects around the world to help the disadvantaged in the areas of health, education, and children. In 2014, the foundation released its first video documentary, ‘The Story of One Yellow Bike’, inspired by a young girl living in Dubai who donated her bicycle to help communities in Uganda. To date, the Samerai Foundation has donated 1,500 bicycles, providing communities with access to simple, yet effective, transportation. In 2016, the Samerai Foundation released a new documentary called ‘Two Directions’, which tells the story of the foundation’s work in the slums of Kenya to help children return to school and develop their talent.